David Dimbleby praised for marathon EU referendum broadcast

BBC, ITV and Sky News all offered rolling coverage of the EU referendum count throughout Thursday night and Friday morning, and all three received praise for the quality and scope of their broadcasts.

However, social media was particularly in awe of David Dimbleby, anchoring the BBC's coverage for 11 hours straight, with assistance from political editor Laura Kuenssberg and Today show presenter Nick Robinson.

As highlighted by the Radio Times, Dimbleby presented the BBC's coverage of the first referendum in Europe back in 1975. His stalwart presence in the Brexit referendum was apt and, for many, rather comforting.

David Dimbleby on BBC Referendum 1975 & now. He's not aged much and respect to 77 yr old with stamina for allnighter pic.twitter.com/3bPZmOGNTg

Signing off at around 9am on Friday, Mr Dimbleby said: "Just before 10 o'clock when we started this programme I said that it was a momentous day for Britain because it was no less than defining what kind of country we wanted to live in

"And the answer to that question, which is one that has haunted politics for a long time, whether we should be In or Out of the EU, has been resoundingly answered."

ITV’s coverage was led by News at Ten anchor Tom Bradby with national editor Allegra Stratton, who also received good notices from viewers:

Tom Bradby is doing a great job at keeping it light and serious at the same time #ITVEURef